Category: CITIES

Christmas with a view: Santa Comes to Sydney Harbour Bridge

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Posted: 14/11/2023

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and this season, the festivities are reaching new heights. The jolly man in red himself – yes, Santa Claus – will be waiting for you at the top of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge! Every Sunday morning from November 5th to December 24th, 2023, Santa will be perched on high, 134 meters above sea level, ready to greet climbers with a hearty “Ho, ho, ho!”. A Christmas Photo to Remember Imagine capturing a Christmas photo unlike any other – one that not only features Santa but also boasts the breathtaking backdrop of the Sydney Opera House. This unique opportunity is available to all climbers booked in on a BridgeClimb experience before 11am. Say goodbye to traditional mall Santa photos, this year your holiday snaps will sleigh all others. Seasonal Add-Ons for Extra Cheer But wait, there’s myrrh! Besides experiencing the best views of Sydney while scaling the iconic arches of the bridge, climbers will be treated to some extra Christmas cheer. Each purchased photo package comes with a complimentary printed Santa photo. Digital photos can be jazzed up with an optional festive photo border, perfect for sharing on social media or sending as a unique Christmas greeting. And that’s not all – climbers will also receive a Santa hat to take home as a fun memento of their unforgettable climb. Sing-Along to Your Favourite Carols Feeling musical? The climb isn’t just about the views and the photos – it’s also a chance to raise your voice in… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Embrace authentic fusion of tradition and innovation at Australian Gin Week

Gin bottles

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Updated: 14/11/2023

In the heart of Australia, a unique partnership is set to celebrate the richness and diversity of the nation’s gin industry. For Australian Gin Week, Seven Seasons, an iconic gin brand known for its remarkable interpretations of indigenous Australian flavours, has partnered with the award-winning Rekodo Restaurant & Vinyl Bar at Barangaroo House. Together, they are unveiling the Green Ant Gin Martini, a bold new creation that captures the vibrant flavours of Australian flora. From the 15th of November to the 14th of December, patrons of Rekodo will be able to indulge in a special Green Ant Gin Martini and snack menu. This collaboration not only puts the spotlight on Seven Season Spirits’ acclaimed Green Ant Gin, but also entwines the rich history and flavours of Australian flora in an exciting culinary experience. Award-winning bartender, Jai Lyons, will be the mastermind behind the Green Ant Martini, while head chef Michael Dabbs has crafted a bespoke menu that perfectly complements the unique notes of the cocktail. Among the standout offerings is the Steak tartare temaki with koji, finger lime dressing, and a green ant garnish priced at $14. In addition, the Green Ant Gin Martini will feature at 50 of Australia’s top venues, including Margaret & West Hotels in New South Wales, Vue de Monde & Sunda in Victoria, Sasso Italiano & Rosellas Bar in Queensland, and Sofitel & Fleet Street Social in South Australia. Each venue will add their unique twist to the cocktail, further elevating the martini experience. Seven Seasons, founded by former AFL… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, SYDNEY

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Sydney Mardi Gras’ groundbreaking 2024 program: Our Future

Mardi Gras Sydney pool party

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Posted: 11/11/2023

Australia’s most vibrant and inclusive celebration, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, is set to return from 16 February to 3 March 2024 with a spectacular program. The festival will charge into our future with its biggest and boldest program yet, featuring over 100 electrifying community events, dance parties, and performances. The 2024 festival aims to connect the past, present, and future, celebrating 45 years of Sydney Mardi Gras history, while illuminating the path to a dazzling future. The festival will echo the voices of our communities, champion progress, and instigate impactful change. The theme for 2024, ’Our Future,’ is brought to life through a creative campaign that reimagines tarot cards as celebrations of local LGBTQIA+ trailblazers, from HIV+ campaigners to trans and gender-diverse icons. The campaign is a testament to an unwavering commitment to representation and a call to imagine a bright future for all. A few new and major events of 2024 include the Bondi Beach Party, the Ultra Violet party for LGBTQIA+ women, Festival First Light, a city-wide Welcome to Country ceremony, Hot Trans Summer, a total trans and gender-diverse takeover of Glass Island, and many more. Sydney Mardi Gras celebrates not only the LGBTQIA+ community but the diversity and vibrancy that Sydney represents as Australia’s only truly global city. Visitors can also explore renowned galleries, museums and theatres, and the city’s thriving arts, music, and culture scene. Tickets for the 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras go on sale at 10am on Monday 20 November. Visit www.mardigras.org.au to browse… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE, CITIES, LGBTIQ, SYDNEY

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Sydney dog lover? Australia’s national pet show is back

Sydney Dog Show 2022

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Posted: 10/11/2023

Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of tail-wagging excitement as Australia’s premier National Pet Show makes its triumphant return to Sydney! Mark your calendars for Saturday, 18 November and Sunday, 19 November as we transform the Sydney Showground into a veritable paradise for pet enthusiasts. Celebrating its one-year anniversary, the Pet Show is back, bolder and more thrilling than ever before. The event promises to be an unparalleled spectacle of fur, feathers, and scales, showcasing the vibrant diversity of our beloved animal companions. With over 200 esteemed industry experts and exhibitors participating, this multi-zone extravaganza will take you on an enlightening journey through the world of pets. Unleash your curiosity with our educational sessions, get your heart racing with captivating entertainment, and spoil your furry (or scaly, or feathery) friends with a plethora of paw-some products. Cameron Just, our esteemed Managing Director, shares his bubbling excitement: “We’re thrilled to bring the Pet Show back to its roots in Sydney. The past year has seen us receive an outpouring of support and love from consumers, with ticket demand soaring as we ventured to Brisbane and Melbourne. This year, we’re determined to surpass expectations and elevate the Pet Show experience to new heights.” Our roster of presenters boasts acclaimed figures like wildlife advocate Ben Dessen, Erin Williams of Beyond Dog Training, Bondi Vet Dr Kate Adams, and animal behaviourist Dr Kate Mornement, among others. Entertainment will be provided by the delightful team of Dr Katrina Warren, Kelly Gill, and the Wonderdogs, along with children’s favourites… Read More

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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Experience the New Era of Luxury at Hotel Sorrento

Hotel Sorrento room

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Posted: 06/11/2023

Beginning December 2023, a new chapter unfolds in the rich history of the iconic Hotel Sorrento. Unveiling its most significant transformation yet, the hotel is set to amaze with a host of luxurious features, making it the must-visit destination on the Mornington Peninsula. The third-generation family business, run by the Pitt family, has always been a welcoming beacon for visitors, and this expansion is no different. After more than 150 years of service, Hotel Sorrento will soon feature a breathtaking 30-metre pool, terrace, thirteen brand new luxury accommodation suites, a day spa, and wellness facilities. This development is the realisation of the Pitt family’s vision, marking a crucial milestone in the hotel’s illustrious journey. Designed by Six Degrees Architecture and landscaped by Jack Merlo, the new additions to the hotel draw inspiration from the ocean and peninsula landscape, honouring the building’s natural and architectural beauty. The result? A guest experience reminiscent of a Mediterranean holiday, a mere 90-minute drive from Melbourne. Starting at $550 per night, the 13 new Sunset Suites are a testament to luxury. Inspired by the hotel’s natural surroundings, the suites integrate raw materials like limestone, travertine, and timber. Expansive windows in each suite afford stunning views of the landscape, immersing guests in tranquillity and nature. The suites feature custom-designed Jardan furniture and Hunter Lab amenities, creating a warm, welcoming space for guests. Relax and unwind in outdoor marble baths, the perfect way to end a busy day. The new suites beautifully complement the recently refurbished rooms, all boasting Jardan furniture and… Read More

Category: CITIES, AUSTRALIA, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, TRAVEL

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Green Elf Trees: Sustainability Champions Delivering Beautiful British Christmas Trees

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Posted: 06/11/2023

What do beautiful British Christmas trees, sustainability champions, reforestation projects, and carbon-negative delivery all have in common? Enter Green Elf Trees, your new go-to source for sustainably sourced Christmas trees, right from the heart of the UK. Green Elf Trees is not just about delivering quality Christmas trees; they’re about making a difference. For every order placed on greenelftrees.co.uk, they pledge to donate to a range of local charities including Dogs Trust, Refugees at Home, Mind, Great Ormond St Children’s Hospital, British Red Cross and Crisis. In addition to their charitable endeavours, Green Elf Trees is a front-runner in the fight for the environment. They now offer rentable pot-grown trees that are collected after Christmas and replanted in the South of England. Plus, they provide sustainable cut trees, sourced locally, delivered by their 100% electric fleet and even offering the option to have your tree collected and recycled post-Christmas. Co-founders Matt Bouloux & Caleb Silcock are excited about the impact Green Elf Trees can have: “Everyone can now celebrate the festive season knowing they’ve made a better decision for their environment, their community and their living room! Whether you prefer a traditional style tree or a pot-grown one, all Green Elf options are premium quality and sustainability focused. We also donate to various charities on your behalf, so you can enjoy an award-winning tree whilst making a positive impact on the world you live in.” With their easy-to-use website, choosing your tree, delivery date, and charity to support has never been simpler. This Christmas, let’s… Read More

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

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Vue de monde and Lui Bar: A Fresh New Chapter Begins

Vue de monde dining room Jason Loucas

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Posted: 06/11/2023

Australia’s crown jewel in the culinary world, Vue de monde, alongside its sibling bar, Lui, and premier event space, are back at Melbourne’s Rialto Towers, unveiling their fresh and exciting new faces after a three-month hiatus. Vue de monde, renowned at both national and international levels, presents a distinctive dining room and a kitchen that have both been significantly revitalised. Executive chef, Hugh Allen, shares his enthusiasm over the improvements, “The transformation of Vue de monde and Lui Bar, a project several years in the making, is finally complete. The hiatus provided us with the time we needed to craft exquisite menus for both the restaurant and the bar. We eagerly await our loyal clientele’s reactions to the changes and look forward to welcoming new guests to our venues.” Vue de monde, under the leadership of Executive Chef Hugh Allen and General Manager Hugo Simoes, introduces an all-new 18-serving menu. This menu harmoniously mingles familiarity and innovation, continuing Vue de monde’s tradition of showcasing top-notch Australian producers. Lavish dishes include grilled lamb sweetbreads paired with asparagus from Koo Wee Rup and fermented macadamia sauce; padrón peppers stuffed with heirloom eggplant cooked in wild nasturtium oil, and a decadent two-part marron serving. The dining room now boasts signature Vue de monde tables by Ross Didier and kangaroo hide table tops by Theo Hassett, enhanced lighting, and an overhauled private dining room featuring a bespoke hand-blown light feature by Leisa Wharington. The open kitchen, a long-standing Vue de monde signature, also receives a major upgrade. Lui Bar,… Read More

Category: CITIES, AUSTRALIAN FOOD, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

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Why you should care that the Sydney Biennale is back

Biennale Symbols

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Posted: 06/11/2023

This year, the vibrant city of Sydney, Australia, is set to play host to the 24th edition of the esteemed Biennale of Sydney. Titled ‘Ten Thousand Suns,’ this major international art festival will run from the 9th of March to the 10th of June, 2024. Being the largest contemporary art event of its kind in Australia, the Biennale showcases an impressive lineup of 88 artists and collectives, hailing from 47 different countries, all coming together to celebrate and explore various themes through the medium of contemporary art. The event will span multiple locations, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Artspace, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and for the first time, the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, UNSW Galleries and the iconic and recently restored White Bay Power Station. Under the artistic direction of Cosmin Costina? and Inti Guerrero, the 24th Biennale of Sydney proposes ‘celebration’ as both a method and a source of joy. Drawing inspiration from legacies of collective resistance and unity in the face of injustice, the event features a core exhibition of contemporary art that delves into themes ranging from the resurgence of First Nations technologies and knowledges, the history of Islam in Australia, Queer resilience, and the international expression of Carnivale, to the atomic era and human-induced climate alteration. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Biennale of Sydney, this edition challenges Western fatalistic views of the apocalypse, fostering a hopeful outlook around a future lived in joy and shared widely. The 2024 edition will… Read More

Category: CITIES, SYDNEY

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Why you need to go back to Spice Temple: Crabs!

Spice Temple crab noodles

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Posted: 06/11/2023

Spice Temple, the much-loved regional Chinese restaurant in Melbourne and Sydney, is celebrating Mud Crab season in true style, offering a feast featuring Australia’s native crabs – affectionately known as ‘Muddies’. These sumptuous crustaceans are at their seasonal best, boasting luxurious, irresistibly sweet flesh. As a quintessential ingredient in Chinese cooking and a star of the banquet style of dining at Spice Temple, the live Mud Crabs, sourced directly from Queensland, are cooked to order and dressed in delicious authentic sauces. The spice of the season, until Sunday, 31st December, is the $99 price point on all Mud Crab dishes – a value-packed proposition for a flavour-packed dish that promises to be a show-stopper at any group gathering over the summer, holiday and festive celebrations. Under the expert guidance of Spice Temple’s Executive Chef Andy Evans, the Mud Crabs are steamed to perfection to ensure their sweet, delicate flesh remains tender and untainted. Diners can choose from a variety of five traditional sauces to accompany the delectable crab meat. As the Mud Crab season progresses and the summer heat intensifies, Spice Temple’s menu will also feature Blue Swimmer Crabs and Snow Crabs, each adding their own unique flavours to the mix. For Chef Andy, Mud Crabs and live seafood are the epitome of Chinese dining and offer a unique opportunity to present the regional Chinese flavours that Spice Temple is famous for. In his words, “Mud Crabs are often considered a luxury, but the real treat for our guests this season is the limited-time $99… Read More

Category: CITIES, ASIAN FOOD, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY

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Discover the Allure of Hickson House: Your New Favourite Destination for Gin Delights

Hickson House Summer Cup cocktails 6

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Posted: 06/11/2023

Hickson House in Sydney is redefining the gin tasting experience with an array of exciting updates, ready to transport you into a world of unique gin-centric exploration. Starting today, the doors will open daily from 10 am, with tasting flights guided by our knowledgeable distillery door manager amidst the captivating backdrop of our towering, copper stills. This tantalising experience is available for just $10, which can be redeemed off any bottle purchase. Our expansive distillery store is stocked with all five of our award-winning Hickson House gins – Australian Dry, Classic Dry, Harbour Strength, Seven Spice, and Summer Cup. We also offer a range of gin-related products, like our delectable Martini olives and house-smoked Gibson onions, to amplify your gin experience. Our new release, Hickson House Wild Rosé Summer Cup, has been the talk of the town. A contemporary Australian twist on classic British fruit cup aperitifs, this Limited Edition launched last Summer has swiftly become a crowd favourite. Having won both Gold and Best in Class (Flavoured Gin) at the Australian Gin Awards 2023, it now forms a permanent part of Hickson House’s range. We believe in sustainability and make conscious efforts to reduce our environmental footprint. We source ingredients and native botanicals locally whenever possible and use handmade stills from country New South Wales. Our commitment to sustainability extends to our bottle return policy, where patrons can bring used Hickson gin bottles back for refills or exchanges. Adding to the excitement, we offer Bottomless Gin Brunches from 11 am on weekends. These brunches… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

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